Italy is one of the European Union nations with the longest historical ties to the UK, and one of the biggest European nationalities.

It supplied some of the first post-war migrant workers, before the UK turned to mass migration from former British Empire colonies.

The 2001 Census data shows complex changes in the Italian profile. In some areas of Britain long associated with Italian communities there has been a decline, almost certainly down to an ageing population or retirements "back home".

But in other areas – such as some affluent parts of London or areas associated with students - there have been steep rises.

Concentrations of people born in Italy

Map on right shows country as if areas with roughly equal populations were the same size. So, densely populated London takes up much more space than sparsely populated Scottish Highlands.

At-a-glance

107,002 Italy-born people were resident in Britain in 2001, representing 0.19% of the total population.

3 of the most popular areas for Italy-born people are outside London.

13 local areas saw substantial falls in the Italy-born population between 1991 and 2001.

103 local areas saw substantial increases, amounting to more than 50 people in each.